Ukraine in 2024, a Year in Photos

On January 2, in the aftermath of one of Russia’s largest missile attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, a rescue worker pulls a survivor from the wreckage, marking a grim start to the new year.

On February 14, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence used naval drones to sink the Russian ship Tsezar Kunikov. None of the ships damaged or destroyed by Ukraine were present at Russia’s main naval parade in St. Petersburg by July, highlighting the impact of Ukraine’s Black Sea strategy.

In February 2024, medics evacuated wounded soldiers from the Serebryansky Forest, a site of fierce fighting in Luhansk region. Nestled along the Siverskyi Donets River, the forest is a lush nature reserve known for its rich biodiversity, with winding trails that once drew nature enthusiasts and hikers. The image captures the relentless efforts to save lives amid the war.

On March 10 at the 96th Academy Awards, Mstyslav Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka received Ukraine’s first Oscar for 20 Days in Mariupol. The documentary chronicles the brutal siege of Mariupol during the early days of Russia’s invasion, capturing iconic images like the bombing of a maternity hospital.

In April, Russia's brutal double tap strikes on Kharkiv hit rescuers and killed firefighters, launching a second attack just after the first to maximize devastation.

On April 24, Lviv saw the creation of Ukraine's first football team for veterans who lost limbs in combat, thanks to the Greek Catholic monastic congregation of the Salesians of St. John Bosco.

On May 14, Kharkiv endured four aerial attacks, including an S-300 missile that was shot down but landed near a car without exploding. Sappers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) carefully removed the missile from the yard, preventing further devastation.

On May 23, Russia struck the Vivat printing house in Kharkiv, one of Ukraine’s largest, in an attack seen as targeting both lives and the country’s cultural identity.

On June 24, the Ukrainian 13th Khartiia Brigade fires artillery on the Kharkiv region border—soldiers bracing against the deafening blast.

On June 16, activists and Ukrainian servicemembers participated in the Equality March in Kyiv, organized by the LGBTQ+ community. A striking image captured the profile of a male soldier wearing Ukraine’s trident symbol as an earring, connecting personal identity with national pride.

In June, Oleksandr, 31, a former gamer turned operator for Ukraine’s “Yasni Ochi” (Bright Eyes) Drone Battalion, directed reconnaissance drones over the Kharkiv region from a home base in a nearby village. The battalion has become one of Ukraine’s deadliest drone units, transforming gaming skills into battlefield precision.

On June 28, Mykola, a 26-year-old Ukrainian convict who joined the 92nd Assault Brigade, posed for a photo in the Kharkiv region. This spring, Ukraine began allowing individuals convicted of low-level crimes to serve in its army amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

On June 29, at Euro 2024, Ukrainian football fans created a mosaic honoring fallen soldiers. They unveiled a banner featuring the image of Nazarii “Hrinka” Hryntsevych, a deceased military serviceman and football supporter. He was one of the youngest defenders of Azovstal . The tribute, featuring the faces of the fallen, carried the message: “Peace has a price.”

On July 7, Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh broke the world record for high jump in Paris, achieving a historic milestone for her nation.

On July 8, Russian missiles struck Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital in central Kyiv, sparking global outrage over the attack on one of Ukraine’s most vulnerable institutions.

On July 29, Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan overcame a six-point deficit to defeat South Korea’s Choi Sebin 15-14, securing gold in women’s saber and earning Ukraine its first Olympic gold of 2024.

On July 26, Ukraine's anti-air defense system in Kherson was on high alert during intense Russian aerial assaults, underscoring the urgent need for stronger defenses and international support to protect the cities and civilians.

In August 2024, a Ukrainian soldier is seen “decorating” a Lenin monument in Russia’s Kursk region, after Ukrainian forces made a surprise incursion into Russian territory, capturing hundreds of Russian soldiers. A symbolic act amid the ongoing war.

On August 26, Ukrainian pilot Oleksii Mes (right), call sign “Moonfish,” was killed in one of Russia's largest missile strikes while piloting an F-16. A year earlier, fellow pilot Andrii Pilshchykov (left), call sign “Juice,” also died. Mes was a staunch advocate for modern air weaponry and the urgent need for F-16s in Ukraine’s defense.

In August, near Kherson, sunflowers—Ukraine’s national symbol—bloomed alongside “Dragon’s Teeth,” the anti-tank obstacles forming part of the country’s new defensive lines.

On September 6, a funeral procession in Lviv honored the Bazylevych family—Yevheniia, Yaryna, Daryna, and Emiliia—who were killed in a Russian missile strike on their home on September 4. The attack, part of a large-scale assault on Ukrainian cities, left only the husband and father, Yaroslav, as the sole survivor.

On September 13, forty-nine Ukrainian civilians and soldiers were released from Russian captivity and returned to the Chernihiv region. Among them were Crimean Tatar activist Leniye Umerova, accused of espionage while trying to visit her sick father, and 15 Azov Brigade soldiers held in Russian captivity for two years. The exchange also included women detained before Russian full-scale invasion, many showing severe health issues after enduring inhumane treatment.

On September 22, the Azov Brigade held its annual ceremony for Remembrance Day, honoring fallen comrades who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine’s freedom.

In October, 2024, Oleh Hrynchenko, who was injured near Bakhmut in June 2023, is photographed at the Superhumans Center  after undergoing eight facial surgeries.

On October 23, a servicemember of Ukraine’s 24th “King Danylo” Brigade operates an M109 self-propelled 155mm howitzer near Chasiv Yar, the Donetsk region.

On October 28, a Russian strike hit Derzhprom—Kharkiv’s iconic landmark and historic heart of the city’s administration—leaving behind significant damage.

Early morning on November 17, a Ukrainian preschool teacher turned soldier successfully shot down a Russian missile on her first attempt, showcasing the extraordinary resilience and adaptability of Ukraine’s defenders.

On November 21, fragments of a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile, Rubezh/Oreshnik, were recovered in Dnipro by Ukrainian investigators following a devastating strike on the city.

November, the Kharkiv region – Ukraine’s stabilization point offers immediate care to wounded soldiers brought in by combat medics from the frontlines. “Silence is so good,” remarked one of the injured.

December, Sumy region – Ukrainian soldiers reinforced key routes with defenses like barbed wire to thwart a potential Russian offensive.

On December 20, Debris from a Russian missile strike litters downtown Kyiv. The deadly attack killed at least one person and injured dozens, just days before Christmas.

On December 21, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk defeated Uk’s boxer Tyson Fury, solidifying his reign as champion once again.

On December 26, a banner reading “Evacuation” hangs in the now deserted city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. While some civilians remain, Ukrainian authorities are urging everyone to leave due to ongoing Russian shelling. All social services have been evacuated, and the gas supply has been cut off. The Russian army continues its offensive, expending significant resources to seize new territory.